Mauritania changes visa rules for foreign tourists

Mauritania has changed its entry requirements for foreign tourists, including Russian citizens, introducing a system of electronic visa applications. Travellers must now obtain a visa in advance through the website of the Ministry of the Interior and Decentralisation. According to experts, this measure could affect tourist flow to a country that was already not particularly popular among travellers.

The electronic visa is available for various lengths of stay: 30, 90, 365, or 730 days. The cost of a 30-day visa remains unchanged, at $60. Applications require passport details, a photograph, the purpose of the trip, and other information, as well as a copy of the passport. A visa can also still be obtained on arrival at the airport, but having a pre-arranged permit speeds up the process.

Mauritania, located in West Africa, borders Morocco, Algeria, Mali, and Senegal, and has a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. A significant part of the country is covered by the sands of the Sahara Desert. Major attractions include Banc d'Arguin National Park (known for its birdlife), the ancient city of Chinguetti, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Ben Amera monolith — the world's second-largest monolith after Uluru in Australia.

Despite its natural beauty, tourism in Mauritania remains underdeveloped. The country mainly attracts experienced travellers looking to explore new and unusual destinations. According to tour operators, weak tourism infrastructure and limited international marketing hold back its popularity. The new visa procedure is likely to become an additional obstacle for potential tourists.

Reaching Mauritania's capital, Nouakchott, is only possible with a layover, for example via Istanbul or Casablanca. Round-trip tickets start at around 100,000 rubles, making travel to this country even less accessible for mass tourism.